The district office handling scholarships, hostels and coaching for SC, ST, OBC and minority students.
38.2% of households in Dhenkanal fall in the poorest wealth quintile, behind the typical district. 29.8% of women own a house in their name, behind the typical district. The Social Welfare Office administers pensions, aid, and support schemes aimed at this poorest segment.
76% of registered enterprises are in services while 24% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 74% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Dhenkanal, which ranks 22 of 30 in Odisha for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 42.7 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women with a bank account at 88.6%, while it lags on women who own land at 19.9%. On children under five who are stunted at 33.3%, it sits close to the national mark.